Houston soccer pulls out another gritty draw against No. 16 Baylor

Once again, Houston kept its hopes alive of making the Big 12 Conference tournament, earning a critical point in a hard-fought draw against No. 16 Baylor.

The Cougars have now entered a four-way tie for eighth place with BYU, Arizona State and Cincinnati, with all four teams sitting at 11 points each.

“Everyone is really strong, and you can’t go into any game thinking that you’re going to win it,” head coach Ben Williams said. “We’ve got to be spot on Thursday, but we’re excited that we’re still in the race.”

Despite the odds stacked against them, including losing their two starting center-backs, graduate Alex Whitcraft and freshman Amaris Bumba, for the game due to injury, Houston would not give in to the pressure in the first half and would match Baylor blow for blow. 

“Team spirit is high. Whoever it is, they’re gonna step up to the plate and play their hardest,” senior forward Camryn Maddox said. “ I know I can count on anybody, no matter the position, how many minutes they play. I know I can count on them no matter what.”

Even when the Bears’ offense found their rhythm, the Cougars’ defense remained firm and steady, limiting Baylor to only two shots in the half.

In the second half, the pressure intensified for both teams. Baylor struck first in the 49th minute off a set-piece situation that junior forward Callie Conrad converted with the heel of her left foot.

Houston was not phased by this, as in the 53rd minute, sophomore midfielder Casey Maddox attempted to volley a cross into the net, but it was deflected by a Bears defender. Her sister Cameryn pounced on the deflection and unleashed a powerful shot that went in the goal to tie the game up.

After that, both sides were locked in a war of attrition for the rest of the half. Each team was determined to break the deadlock and take the win. However, neither side could find the crucial goal they were looking for.

The Cougars now sit at a 7-3-7 record, with a 2-3-5 record in the Big 12.

Houston gears up for its season finale on Thursday, Oct. 30, which could make or break the season, when it takes on the No. 9 TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth at 7 p.m.

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